Infographic: Maps in Modern Web Design

Smashing Magazine has written up an article discussing the fundamentals of online maps and how interactivity allows the designer to forgo traditional map staples such as legends if you do it right. In their own words:

"The expansion of Web technology over the past decade has opened a number of doors to presenting data online. One of the most rapidly improving tools for interactive presentation is the map."

"Interactive maps on the Internet present data most effectively when they invite action from the user. Showing relationships between data is easier when the user has the power to change the visuals. These are advantages that traditional print maps do not have. If a print map is not clear initially, a person can do very little to make sense of it. With online interactive maps, the simple action of moving sliders around reveals relationships between data and content."

Here are some of the more nifty examples of different map navigation styles they provide:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/interactives/campaign08/election/uscounties.html
http://awesome.good.is/ecosystem/#/home